Film processing apparatus for use with a photographic camera

ABSTRACT

The present invention envisions a reflex camera having a specular surface within the optical path of the film plane. An operator mechanism positions a viewing surface closely proximate the film plane for focusing purposes and in a subsequent exposure mode positions a reflective surface within the optical path in a position causing a coincidence of a focal plane with the film plane. Means are provided for receiving and storing energy for positioning the viewing surface proximate the film plane and for positioning said reflective surface within the optical path in said exposure mode. The camera further includes a fixed specular surface which, in the focusing mode, is positioned in the optical path to the viewing surface and said viewing surface is brought into spaced parallel relation to said fixed specular surface during the exposure mode. The camera includes a support for locating a film-advancing apparatus for engaging and moving the film unit, subsequent to exposure, from its exposure position into the bite of a pair of processing rolls. A novel mechanism transfers, to said film-advancing apparatus, a portion of the energy being supplied to said energy storage means to position said viewing surface.

United States Patent [1 Erlichman [451 July 10,1973

[ FILM PROCESSING APPARATUS FOR USE WITH A PHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERA [75]Inventor: Irving Erlichman, Wayland, Mass.

[73] Assignee: Polaroid Corporation, Cambridge,

Mass.

[22 Filed: Dec.20, 1971 211 Appl. No.: 209,542

[52] US. Cl. 95/13, 95/42 R [51] Int. Cl. G03b 17/52 [58] Field ofSearch 95/11 R, 13, 42 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS3,641,889 2/1972 Eloranta 95/64 B X 3,653,311 4/1872 Sato 95/423,568,585 3/1971 lshizaka 95/42 Primary Examiner-Samuel S. MatthewsAssistant Examiner-Alan Mathews Attorney-Michael Bard [57] ABSTRACT Thepresent invention envisions a reflex camera having a specular surfacewithin the optical path of the film plane. An operator mechanismpositions a viewing surface closely proximate the film plane forfocusing purposes and in a subsequent exposure mode positions areflective surface within the optical path in a position causing acoincidence of a focal plane with the film plane.

Means are provided for receiving and storing energy for positioning theviewing surface proximate the film plane and for positioning saidreflective surface within the optical path in said exposure mode. Thecamera further includes a fixed specular surface which, in the focusingmode, is positioned in the optical path to the viewing surface and saidviewing surface is brought into spaced parallel relation to said fixedspecular surface during the exposure mode.

The camera includes a support for locating a film-advancing apparatusfor engaging and moving the film unit, subsequent to exposure, from itsexposure position into the bite of a pair of processing rolls.

A novel mechanism transfers, to said film-advancing apparatus, a portionof the energy being supplied to said energy storage means to positionsaid viewing surface.

20 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PAIENTED 0 3, 74-4, 3 8B sum 1 or 7INVENIOR.

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INVENTOR. IRVING ERLICHMAN v 6 ATTORNEYS FILM PROCESSING APPARATUS FORUSE WITH A PHOTOGRAPIIIC CAMERA BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The presentinvention relates generally to selfprocessing photographic cameras ofthe reflex type and, more particularly, to a reflex camera in which aspecular surface is moved into the optical path of a taking lens whenthe camera is caused to assume an exposure configuration.

Certain photographic film materials are structured to directly record apositive image of any subject properly imaged and exposed thereupon.Exemplary of such materials are the film units described in US. Pat. No.3,415,644 entitled Novel Photographic Products and Processes and issuedto E. H. Land on Dec. 10, 1968. Film units of this type are intended foruse within the above-noted self-processing photographic cameras andincorporate all of the materials necessary to produce a positivephotographic print immediately following their exposure. While being ofa somewhat complex chemical makeup, the film units are physicallystructured to include a planar photosensitive element in laminarcombination with a transparent image-receiving element. Speciallypackaged processing units are additionally included within the units.

To image properly through a lens system upon the above-described filmunits, it is necessary that one or an odd number of specular surfaces beincorporated within the optical path extending from the camera lens tothe exposure plane of a film unit. Because these film units areconfigured to provide a desirably large film format, certain improvedphotographic camera designs have taken advantage of the requisitespecular surface to achieve somewhat compact overall camera structures.

Exemplary of such compact designs is a camera structure described incopending application, Ser. No. 67,051, filed Aug. 26, 1970, andentitled Photographic Apparatus.

Typically, one of the problems associated with reflex cameras, such asdescribed hereinabove, is the time delay between actuation of thecameras shutter release button and the exposure of the film unit locatedin position for exposure. During this time delay, the user of the cameramust hold the camera relatively steady until the cameras shutter isclosed, the viewfinder and/or rangefinder are conditioned to prevent theentry of actinic light into the interior of the camera, the reflexmirror or a reflecting member has moved to a position which will allowexposure of the film unit, and the cameras shutter has opened and closedto allow the exposure.

In the camera which is the subject matter of application Ser. No. 67,051 mentioned hereinabove, this time delay may be decreased by increasingthe speed at which the reflex mirror is moved out of its viewing modeposition and into its exposure mode position by preloading a springdrive rather than employing a conventional motor-operated drive whereinthe motor has to overcome its own inertia and that of the componentsconnected thereto in driving the reflex member between modes ofoperation. However, increasing the speed at which the reflex membermoves can create additional problems such as jerking of the cameracaused by impact of the reflex member.

In addition to moving the reflex member rapidly into the exposure modeposition, it is desirable to return the reflex member rapidly to itsviewing mode position so as to provide as short an interruption as ispossible to the operators field of view through the viewfinder. In thephotographic camera which is the subject of application Ser. No. 67,051,aforesaid, spring means are provided for rapidly moving the reflexmember from the viewing mode position to the exposure mode position andthence to the viewing mode position. The use of such spring meansovercomes many prior art difficulties in effecting rapid movement of thereflex mirror, but requires a relatively complicated mechanical linkage.Furthermore, the concept taught therein is dependent on the use of abi-directional motor and attendant switching means for effecting thereversal of direction of same at appropriate time intervals.

Further the photographic camera which is the subject of said applicationSer. No. 67,051, includes means connected between the moving reflexmember and film-advancing apparatus to absorb a portion of the energybeing transferred to the moving reflex member so as to rapidlydecelerate same. This mode of deceleration means provides an undesirableload on the moving reflex member whilst it is traveling to its viewingmode position and which may be severe enough to damage said movingreflex mirror.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The subject invention includes a camera of thesingle lens reflex type having a planar wall which fixedly secures aspecular member interposed between a lens and film plane. The inventionfurther includes a reflex member having opposed reflecting surfaces oneof which functions to reflect the image of a subject to the film planeand the other of which functions as a reflective viewing screen.

The reflex member is mounted for pivotal movement between a firstposition wherein the viewing screen is positioned at a focal planeoverlying and proximate the film or exposure plane and a second positionwherein the reflecting surface opposite the viewing surface ispositioned overlying the fixed specular surface so as to redirect animage toward said film or exposure plane. Thus, in the first positionsaid reflex member functions as a component of the cameras viewingsystem, and in the second position it functions as part of the exposuresystem.

Film-advancing apparatus is coupled to the linkage driving saidreflecting member whereby said linkage will effect movement of saidreflex member from said second position to said first position and willcause said film-advancing apparatus to engage and move a film unit fromits exposure position into the bite of a pair of processing rollswhereby the kinetic energy possessed by the mechanism moving said reflexmember may be partly absorbed in advancing said film unit without anyconsequent loading of said reflecting member and attendant structuraldegradation thereof.

In order to provide as small an interruption as possible of the usersview of the subject while photographing same, means are provided formoving the reflecting member from the first position to the secondposition and back to the first position as rapidly as possible andcreating a great amount of kinetic energy which must be absorbed toprevent damage to the reflecting member and other camera components aswell as discomfort to the user. Such absorption is effected asaforesaid.

The means for rapidly driving the reflecting member between said firstand second position includes energy storage means in the form of aspring member and motor means which transfers energy to said energystorage means when said reflecting member reaches said first position.Hence, the reflecting member is rapidly driven from the first positionto the second position and back to the first position by means of theenergy storage spring.

A unique and simple cam and linkage assembly is utilized which permitsthe reflex member to be moved from said first position to said secondposition and thence to said first position whilst said spring member isunwound in a single direction. Additionally, a simple uni-directionalmotor is utilized to both supply energy to the spring member andindependently drive a portion of the novel cam and linkage assembly toeffect proper sequencing of various portions of said cam and linkageassembly and proper movement of said reflex member.

In consequence of the foregoing, it is an object of this invention toprovide a photographic camera of the single lens reflex variety andincorporating a reflex member which functions as a component of both theviewing and exposure systems of said camera and wherein operation may beshifted from a viewing mode to an exposure mode and back to said viewingmode whilst minimizing the interruption of the users field of view.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a singlelens'reflex camera wherein the reflex member may be driven betweenexposure and viewing modes and incorporating energy storage means fordriving said reflex mirror rapidly between said modes simply andefficiently and further including film-advancing apparatus adapted toreceive energy from said storage means to effect deceleration of saidreflex member.

Still another object of the instant invention is to provide a singlelens reflex camera of the self-processing type and having a reflexmember which moves from a focusing mode position whereat it operates asa viewing screen to an exposure mode position wherein it reflectsillumination from a subject to an exposure plane by means of an energystorage mechanism which is unidirectional and which is adapted toperform a film processing function in addition to moving said reflexmember.

Yet a further object of the instant invention is to provide in aself-developing single lens reflex photographic camera a reflex membercapable of rapid movement from a viewing exposure mode position to anexposure mode position and thence to said viewing mode position by meansof a uni-directional energy storage means which is adapted to advance afilm unit to a processing station simultaneously with movement of saidreflex member from said exposure 'mode position to said viewing modeposition.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects and many of the attendantadvantages of the instant invention will be better appreciated and saidinvention will become clearly understood by reference to thefollowingdetailed description when considered in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings illustrating one embodiment of the subjectinvention, wherein:

FIG. 1 provides a side elevation, partly in section, of a cameraembodying the instant invention;

FIG. 2 provides an exploded perspective of a portion of the interior ofthe camera of the subject invention illustrating the drive mechanismthereof;

FIG. 3 provides a simplified schematic illustrating a portion of thedrive mechanism of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 provides a simplified plan of a portion of the drive mechanism onboth sides of the camera of the subject invention partly in section;

FIG. 5 provides a detailed plan of the cam wheels at opposite sides ofthe mechanism of FIG. 4, as seen from one of said sides and showingtheir relative positions bothwhen the reflex member is in said firstposition (in solid line) and in said second position (in phantom line);

FIGS. 6 11 provide a simplified schematic illustration of the erectionof the reflex member of the subject invention;

FIG. 12 provides a simplified side elevation of a portion of the filmadvancing mechanism of the camera of the subject invention;

FIG. 13 provides a simplified broken-away plan of one side of the cameraof the subject invention illustrating the novel actuating mechanismthereof; and

FIG. 14 provides an enlarged detail of a portion of the film-advancingmechanism of FIG. 12.

Referring to the drawings in more detail, and more particularly to FIG.1, a photographic camera of the single lens reflex type is illustratedgenerally at 10 and is generally similar to the cameras which are thesubject of U. S. Pat. application, Ser. No. 28,567, filed Apr. 15, 1970,by Edwin H. Land and commonly assigned here with (Case 4081), and U. S.Pat. application, Ser. No. 67,051, previously mentioned supra. Thecamera 10 is provided with a forwardly disposed exposure control systemhousing 12 within which are mounted all of the components required toregulate light passing into the camera. These components include, butare not limited to, an objective lens assembly illustrated generally at14, a shutter mechanism (not shown), an actuation button 16 (FIGS. 1 and13), and electronic control circuitry (not shown). A pair of film unitprocessing rolls 18 and 20 are provided within said camera 10 forproperly processing an exposed film unit, as explained infra.

The photographic camera 10 is further provided with a bottom supportportion 22 which serves as a receiving and retaining chamber for afilm-laden cassette structure as at 24. The bottom support portion 22extends to a rear wall portion 26 which extends upwardly to an elongatedupper rear portion 28 which, in turn, extends to an elongated upperforward portion 30.

The elongated upper forward portion 30 extends to a front wall portion32 which supports the exposure control system housing 12. A pair ofspaced parallel side wall portions 34 and 36 cooperate with the pertions22, 26, 28, 30 and 32 to define a chamber within which a photographicexposure may take place. The film-laden cassette structure 24,positioned overlying the bottom support portion 22 of the camera, isformed as a generally thin parallelepiped having a top open portion, therectangular periphery of which is defined by an integrally formed ridge38. The forwardmost facing side of the cassette structure 24 is formedincorporating an opening or slot 40 generally aligned with the line oftangency between the processing rolls l8 and 20 when they are broughttogether as hereinafter explained.

The cassette structure 24 is removably insertable within a cassettereceiving chamber at the bottom support portion 22 so as to consistentlyand accurately orient an exposure plane 42 established at the lowermostperiphery of the film frame opening defined by the ridge 38. A detaileddisclosure of mechanisms for supporting cassettes such as the cassette24, as at the bottom support portion 22, within the camera are disclosedin U. S. Pat. application, Ser. No. 29,753, filed Feb. 24, 1970, byEdwin H. Land and Alfred H. Bellows, and commonly assigned herewith.

Coincidentally situated at the exposure plane 42 is an uppermost one ofa plurality of film units 44. As described in more detail in U. S. Pat.No. 3,415,644, aforesaid, each of the plurality of film units 44includes all of the materials necessary to produce a positivephotographic print. Each of the plurality of film units 44 is physicallystructured to include a photosensitive element 46 positioned adjacentand in laminar relationship with an image-receiving element 48. Theimagereceiving element 48 is located upwardly from the element 46 and isurged by spring means (not shown) into the exposure plane 42.

A rupturable container 50 of processing fluid is secured to one end ofthe laminar assembly of the elements 46 and 48 and is located forwardlywithin the cassette structure 24. The rupturable container 50 dispensesits processing fluid between the elements 46 and 48 when subjected toappropriate compressive pressure. Each of the plurality of film units 44is adapted to be processed when advanced, rupturable container 50foremost, through the slot 40 and between the pressure applyingprocessing rolls 18 and 20. The latter manipulation causes therupturable container 50 to dispense its fluid contents between theelements 46 and 48 and to spread the fluid between and in contact withsaid elements 46 and 48.

The image-forming process is now well known in the art and involves theformation of transverse imageforming substances in the exposedphotosensitive element accompanied by their diffusion in a mannerforming a visible, positive image.

In the illustrated one of the film units 44 and as described in said U.S. Pat. No. 3,415,644, the processing fluid includes an opacifying agentwhich is spread as a layer between the photosensitive element 46 and theimage-receiving element 48. The opacifying agent is opaque to actinicradiation and provides a background for the photosensitive transferimage evolved in the process.

The components of the camera 10 normally assume a configuration foroperating in a focusing or viewing mode. During a photographic cycle,however, these components are reoriented to assume an exposure modeconfiguration. As best seen in FIG. 1, the components of the camera 10are shown as they assume a focusing mode configuration. In thisconfiguration, the objective lens assembly 14 focuses the light from asubject along an optical path which extends from the objective lensassembly 14 and across the exposure chamber of the camera 10 until itimpinges upon and is reflected from a stationary reflex mirror 52.

The stationary mirror 52 is fixedly secured to the elongated upper rearportion 28 of the camera 10 within the exposure chamber. The lightreaching the upper rear portion 28 of the camera 10 in a well-known Amanner. The viewfinder apparatus 56 includes a generally concavereflecting surface 58 which is articulately connected at one end portionto the elongated upper forward portion 30 of the camera 10, and at itsother end portion to one end portion of an upper housing wall 60 of theviewfinder assembly 56.

An eye lens assembly 62 is secured to the other end portion of the wall60 which, in turn, is articulately secured to a link arm 64 which ishingeably secured to the portion 28 of the camera 10.

The portions 28 and 30 of the camera 10 are provided with a recess (notshown) into which the viewfinder assembly 56 may be folded from itserect operating position (shown in FIG. 1) to a storage position (notshown) adjacent the elongated upper forward portion 30 and the upperrear portion 28 of the camera 10. Additionally, the viewfinder apparatus56 may be provided with a generally lighttight casing (not shown) toexclude ambient light so that an image seen in the viewing apparatus 56is not hidden by glare.

A baffle plate 66 is secured within the camera 10 in a well-known manneradjacent the exposure chamber thereof and is provided with an aperture68 which communicates between the exposure chamber and the viewfinderapparatus 56, whereby any light reaching the viewfinder apparatus 56from the exposure chamber of the camera 10 must pass through saidaperture 68.

The aperture 68 isso positioned that the mean optical path courses fromthe upper portion of the stationary mirror 52 through said aperture 68to the generally concave reflecting surface 58 and, thence, to the eyelens assembly 62. Thus, light rays emanating from the image formed onthe viewing surface 54 are reflected by the stationary reflex mirror 52through the aperture 68 onto the concave reflecting surface 58 in theviewing apparatus 56. The concave reflecting surface 58 forms a real,erect, unreverted image of a subject. The eye lens assembly 62 magnifiesthe image formed by the concave reflecting surface 58 for the viewer,but does not affect its erect, unreverted nature and the magnified imageis virtual.

With the arrangement above described, the photographic camera 10 may befocused by adjusting the objective lens assembly 14 while simultaneouslyviewing the image on the viewing surface 54 from the viewfinderapparatus 56. With this focusing mode of operation, the optical path maybe considered to have a predetermined length and the objective lensassembly 14 may be considered to establish a focal plane which, when thecamera is in a focusing mode, lies in coincidence with the viewingsurface 54. For a more complete understanding of the optics of theviewing system herein described, reference may-be made to copendingapplication, Ser. No. 98,356, filed Dec. 15, 1970, and entitled ReflexCamera and Viewing Device (Case 4092) which reveals a somewhat similarsystem which functions in an analogous manner.

The viewing surface 54 is mounted upon, or formed as an integralcomponent of, a reflex member shown generally at 70 and said surface 54is preferably somewhat smaller than, but with the same shape as, thefilm format at the exposure plane. If the viewing surface 54 has thesame shape as the film format, it aids in framing the subject; havingthe surface 54 slightly smaller than the film format reduces the chancesfor accidentally cutting off a portion of the subject by a minor framingerror.

Formed of a material opaque to light, the reflex member 70 is ofgenerally flat configuration and includes a peripheral rib portion orframe 72. The frame 72 is generally rectangular in shape and dimensionedto nest over the ridge 38 of the cassette structure 24. As a consequenceof this configuration, the reflex member 70 functions to light seal orcap the exposure plane 42 at which the uppermost one of the plurality offilm units 44 is situated.

The reflex member 70 is provided with a specular reflex mirror 74 on itssurface opposite the viewing surface 54 and said reflex member 70 isfurther provided with a pair of oppositely directed, coaxial pins 76extending out of its lateral edges 78 (FIG. 2).

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, a pair of spaced parallel support plates80 and 82 are fixedly secured within the exposure chamber of the cameraand extend upwardly from the bottom support portion 22 of said camera 10to provide sufficient supporting surface for the components connectedthereto and described infra.

A pair of link arms 84 (only one of which is shown) is pivotallyconnected at one end portion to the spaced parallel support plates 80and 82, respectively, proximate the rear wall portion 26 of the camera10 as at 86. The other end portions of the link arms 84 are pivotallyconnected to the opposite lateral edges 78 of the reflex member 70 as at88.

The connection of the link arms 84 to the spaced parallel support plates80 and 82 and the lateral edges 78 are such that said link arms 84 arealways parallel and move in concert to provide a compound pivot for oneend portion of the reflex member 70.

Each of the spacedparallel support plates 80 and 82 is provided with anidentical cam slot 90 (only one of which is shown) which extendsgenerally upward from the support portion 22 of the camera 10 and aboutwhich more will be said infra. The oppositely directed pins 76 extendingoutward of the lateral edges 78 of the reflex member 70 are eachslideably received within one of the cam slots 90 such that an upwardforce applied to the oppositely directed pins 76 will cause same totraverse the cam slots 90 and effect movement of the reflex member 70about its compound pivot to the position shown in phantom at 92.

When the reflex member 70 assumes the position 92, the components of thecamera 10 are in an exposure mode configuration, as opposed to thefocusing mode previously described. The reflex member 70 is raised tothe exposure mode position 92 by drive means shown generally at 94 (FIG.2) in response to movement of the actuation button 16 (FIG. 13) as willbe described in more detail hereinafter.

When the reflex member 70 is moved from the vicinity of the exposureplane 42 to the position 92, the specular reflex mirror 74 is introducedin operative position within the exposure chamber. When the camera 10 isin the exposure mode configuration, the new optical path courses fromthe objective lens assembly 14 to the specular reflex mirror 74 fromwhich it is reflected and courses to the exposure plane 42 previouslydescribed herein. Thus, the uppermost of the plurality of film units 44may be exposed and thereafter drawn through the slot 40 into theprocessing rolls I8 and 20 to exit therefrom at a slot (not shown)formed in the front portion of the camera 10.

It should be emphasized at this point that in the exposure modeconfiguration, the length of the optical path is equivalent to thelength of the optical path in the focusing mode configuration previouslydescribed. Such path length equalization is achieved by virtue ofremoval of the viewing surface 54 from a position closely proximate, buta finite distance displaced from, the exposure plane 42, accompanied bythe repositioning of the specular reflex mirror 74 in spaced, parallel,overlying relationship with the stationary reflex mirror 52.

In this regard, it should be noted that the reflex mirror surface 74 isdisplaced an equivalent finite distance from the stationary reflexmirror 52 to compensate for the finite displacement of the viewingsurface 54 from the exposure plane 42 in the focusing modeconfiguration. It should be further noted that, unlike the systemutilized in similar prior art systems (such as that illustrated incopending application, Ser. No. 28,567, aforesaid), no portion of thereflex member or viewing surface 54 supported thereon will come incontact with the stationary reflex mirror 52, and the viewing surface 54will be supported in predetermined spaced parallel relation to saidstationary reflex mirror 52 when in the exposure mode configuration asdescribed hereinafter.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the drive means 94 includes a motor 96,which may be run by a battery in the film-laden cassette structure 24(which is secured within the camera 10, as to the support plate 82, in awell-known manner). The motor 96 is uni-directional and drives a motorpinion gear 98 which is connected through an idler gear 100 to a firstreduction gear assembly 102. The first reduction gear assembly 102 is,in turn, connected to a second reduction gear assembly 104 which, inturn, is connected through an idler gear 106 to a pinion 108 which iscoaxially secured to the processing roll 18 so that said processing roll18 is caused to rotate with the pinion gear 108 to thereby advance afilm unit between the processing rolls 18 and 20.

In addition to driving the processing roll 18 via the pinion gear 108,the second gear reduction assembly 104 is connected to a third gearreduction assembly 110. The third gear reduction assembly 110 is, inturn, connected through a one revolution gear 112 and an idler gear 114to a power spring gear 116 about which more will be said infra.

It should be noted at this point that the one revolution gear 112 is sonamed because it completes one complete revolution for each completephotographic cycle. That is, each time the photographic camera 10 i isconverted from the focusing mode to the exposure mode to effect aphotographic exposure and, thence, back to the focusing mode and a filmunit is processed, the one revolution gear 112 will rotate one completerevolution.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, a pair of spaced parallel erecting arms118 and 120 of identical shape are pivotally secured to the supportplates 80 and 82, respectively, as by pins 122 and 124 in a well-knownmanner. As mentioned supra, the erecting arms 118 and 120 are ofidentical shape and a description of the erecting arm 118 will sufficefor the erecting arm 120.

The erecting arm 118 extends along the support plate 80, in spacedparallel relation thereto, to an end portion 126 having an elongatedslot 128 therein. The oppositely directed pins 76 which extend throughthe cam slots 90 in the support plates 80 and 82 further extend throughthe slots 128 in the erecting arm 118 and the corresponding erecting arm120 so as to be slideably received therein. The pins 76 are retainedwithin their respective slots 128, as by capping means 130 (FIGS. 2 and4), in a well-known manner.

As best seen in FIG. 4, a shaft 132 extends through the spaced parallelsupport plates 80 and 82 and through arcuate slots 134 in the erectingarms 118 and 120, such as the slot 134 of FIG. 1. The arcuate slots suchas 134 have a center of curvature at the pivotal center of theirrespective erecting arms 118 and 120 whereby said erecting arms 118 and120 may pivot about the pins 122 and 124 without hindrance by the shaft132.

A pair of cam wheels 136 and 138 are eccentrically secured to oppositeend portions of the shaft 132 outward of and spaced from the erectingarms 118 and 120, respectively. The cam wheels 136 and 138 are locked tothe shaft 132 for rotation therewith and are provided with annularrecesses 140 and 142, respectively, on their opposed facing surfaces.The annular recesses 140 and 142 function as face cams in a mannerdescribed in more detail hereinafter.

As best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the cam wheels 136 and 138 are identicalsave that they are provided with shoulder portions 144 and 146,respectively, which are oppositely directed and spaced 180 from eachother about their respective peripheries. The cam wheels 136 and 138 areprovided with identical profile cam portions 147 and 149, respectively,on their oppositely directed outer faces and which are identicallyoriented.

As best seen in FIG. 2, a link arm 148 is pivotally secured to the outerface of the support plate 80 between said support plate 80 and theerecting arm 118 as by a pin assembly 150. Spring means 152 are providedhaving one end portion connected to a fixed pin 154 on the outer surfaceof the support plate 80 and extending around the pin assembly 150 to anoppositely directed end portion which is secured to the link arm 148 ina well-known manner so as to bias such link arm 148 for counterclockwiserotation about the pin assembly 150, as seen in FIG. 2.

The link arm 148 extends to a generally L-shape end portion 156 whichextends outward of the support plate 80 and the erecting arm 118 so asto permit the free pivotal movement of said erecting arm 118 and isadapted to engage the shoulder portion 144 of the cam wheel 136 so as toprevent clockwise rotation of same as seen in FIG. 2.

A generally boot-shape link arm 158 is pivotally connected to thesupport plate 80 as by a pin assembly 160 and includes a generallyL-shape tab portion 162 which is received within slot 164 formed in thelink arm 148 by forming an opening therein and bending a portion 166 ofthe link arm 148 outward to define a strap which is adapted to retainthe L-shape tab portion 162 within the opening 164.

The L-shape tab portion 162 of the boot-shape link arm 158 is adapted toengage the upper edge of the slot 164 such that counterclockwiserotation of said bootshape link arm 158 about said pin assembly willcause said link arm 148 to rotate clockwise about the pin assembly 150against the bias of the spring means 152.

A profile cam 168 is pivotally secured to the support plate 80 so as tobe freely rotatable between the link arm 118 and said support plate 80.The plane of rotation of the profile cam 168 is generally in alignmentwith that of the boot-shape link arm 158 and, as best seen in FIG. 12,said boot-shape link arm 158 is provided with a rear edge portion 170which is biased into engagement with the periphery of said profile cam168 (due to the counterclockwise bias of the link arm 148 which istransmitted to the boot-shape link arm 158 via the upper edge of theslot 164 and the L-shape tab portion 162).

As best seen in FIG. 13, a generally elbow-shape link arm 172 isrockably secured to the support plate 82 as by a pin assembly 174 in awell-known manner. The link arm 172 is biased for clockwise rotation (asseen in FIG. 13) about the pin assembly 174 as by spring means 176.

The link arm 172 extends to a generally L-shape end portion 178 whichextends through an arcuate slot 180 in the support plate 82 of thecamera 10. The L-shape end portion 178 is so configured that in theposition shown (FIG. 13) it is adapted to engage the shoulder portion146 of the cam wheel 138, whereby said cam wheel 138 will not be able torotate in a counterclockwise direction (as seen in FIG. 13).

The other end of said elbow-shape link arm 172 extends to a secondL-shape end portion 182 which is adapted to engage the actuation button16 and bias same upward. The upper position of the actuation button 16is limited by a capping portion 183 in a wellknown manner, and it shouldbe clear that, inter alia, depression of the actuation button 16 willcause the elbow-shape link arm 172 to pivot counterclockwise about thepin assembly 174 whereby the L-shape end portion 178 will be disengagedfrom the shoulder 146 of the cam wheel 138, thereby permittingcounterclockwise rotation of said cam wheel 138.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 12, the camera 10 is provided withfilm-advancing apparatus indicating generally at 184. The film-advancingapparatus 184 is identical on both sides of the camera 10 so that,except as hereinafter specifically otherwise described, a description ofthe component portions of the advancing apparatus 184 connected to thesupport plate 80 will be understood to relate to similar componentsconnected to the support plate 82.

The film-advancing apparatus 184 is seen to include an arm 186 having aforward portion 188 and a rearward portion 190 offset from said forwardportion 188. The arm 186 is provided with a slot 192 in its forwardportion 188 and a corresponding slot 194 in its rearward portion 190.The arm 186 is slideably secured to the support plate 80 by means ofguide pins 196 and 198 which are slideably received within the slots 192and 194, respectively. The rearward portion 190 of the arm 186 extendsto an elongated resilient finger 200 which is secured thereto in awell-known manner and which, in turn, extends to a pick member 202. Thepick member 202 is secured to an end portion of the resilient finger 200in a well-known manner, as by rivets 204, and includes a ramp portion206 which extends to a shoulder 208.

It should be noted at this point that the shoulder 208 is of suchconfiguration as to enable said pick member 202 to engage the trailingedge of the uppermost one of the plurality of film units 44 and advancesame into the bite ofthe processing rolls 18 and 20 in a manner to bedescribed in more detail infra. The ramp portion 206 of the pick member202 enables the pick member 202 and the resilient elongated finger 200to clear the new uppermost one of the plurality of film units 44 after aprevious one of said film units 44 has entered the bite of saidprocessing rolls l8 and 20.

The arm 186 includes a rack 210 along the upper edge of the forwardportion 188 which is adapted to engage a sector gear 212 which ispivotally secured to the support plate 80 as by pin means 214. Thesector gear 212 extends to a bifurcated upper portion 216 comprisingouter and inner finger portions 218 and 220, respectively. The outerfinger portion 218 terminates in a generally cylindrical cam followerend portion 222 (FIG. 2) which overlies the outside surface of the camwheel 136 and is adapted to engage the periphery of the profile camportion 147 of said cam wheel 136. In a similar manner, thecorresponding portion of the sector gear on the other side of the camera10 is adapted to engage the periphery of the profile cam portion 149 ofthe cam wheel 138.

As best seen in FIGS. 1, 12, and 14, a resilient spring leaf 226 issecured to the inner face of the support plate 80 as by rivets 228 and230. The resilient spring leaf 226 extends to an end portion 232 whichextends through an opening 234 in the support plate 80 and intothe pathof travel of the inner finger portion 220 of the sector gear 212.

A button portion 236 of the resilient spring leaf 226 is situate betweenthe end portion 232 and the rivets 228 and 230 and extends through anopening 238 in the support plate 80, in the path of the boot-shape linkarm 158. The end portion 232 of the resilient spring leaf 236 is of suchshape as to permit the inner finger portion 220 to rotate clockwise(looking into FIG. 12) therepast whilst preventing any counterclockwiserotation of same thereafter. Further, the button portion 236 of theresilient spring leaf 226 is of such configuration as to permit thelower portion of the boot-shape link arm 158 to rotate clockwisetherepast whereupon said button portion and, hence, said end portion 232will be depressed inwardly from said support plate 80 whereby said endportion 232 will no longer inhibit counterclockwise rotation of theinner finger portion 220. It should be emphasized at this point that theconstruction of the bifurcated upper portion 216 of the sector gear 212is such as to prevent relative movement between the outer finger portion218 and the inner finger portion 220 such that any restraint applied tosaid inner finger portion 220 will be effective in restraining theentire sector gear 212.

As best seen in PK]. 12, the arm 186 is biased in the direction of therear wall portion 26 of the camera 10 by spring means 240. Similarly,such bias is transmitted through the rack 210 of said arm 186 to thesector gear 212 to thereby bias same in a counterclockwise directionabout the pin means 214 whereby said cam follower end portion 222 of thesector gear 212 will be biased into engagement with the periphery of theprofile cam portion 147 of the cam wheel 136.

As best seen in FIG. 12, and as more fully described in my copendingapplication Ser. No. 209,615, filed on even date herewith, a spacinglink 242 is pivotally secured to the support plate as by pin means 244and is biased counterclockwise with said pin means 244 by spring means246 in a well-known manner. The spacing link 242 is positioned forwardof the film-laden cassette structure 24 and extends to an end portion248 which is adapted to engage the nose portion 250 of the forwardportion 188 of said arm 186.

Considering the pair of processing rolls 18 and 20 in more detail, itwill be recalled that the processing roll 18 is driven by the piniongear 108 and it should be noted that the driving connection between theprocessing roll 18 and the pinion 108 is provided by a shaft 252 whichis rigidly connected to, and coaxial with, the processing roll 18.

The processing roll 20 is rigidly connected to and supported by a shaft254 coaxial therewith and said shaft 254 is, in turn, supported withinidentical elongated apertures 256 (only one of which is shown) in thesupport plates 80 and 82, respectively. The processing roll 20, togetherwith its supporting shaft 254, is adapted to move vertically within theslots 256 toward and away from the processing roll 18.

Resilient spring means 258 (only one of which is shown) are secured toeach of the support plates 80 and 82, respectively, in a wellknownmanner and extend to detent portions 260 whihin which are received theopposite end portions of the shaft 254. The resilient spring means 258is so configured as to bias the shaft 254 and the processing roll 20upward within the elongated apertures 256 toward the processing roll 18.

During the focusing mode of operation of the camera 10, the arm 186 isin its rearmost position toward the rear wall portion 26 and the spacinglinks 242 are pivoted with the pin 244, by the spring means 246, to aposition whereat they will capture the end portions of the shaft 254.Similarly, the spacing links 242 on the opposite side of the camera 10(that is, the one secured to the support plate 82) will capture theother end portion of the shaft 254 and the processing roll 20 will beheld in predetermined spaced relation to the processing roll 18. Thespacing links 242 are rigidly connected, as more fully described in mycopending application, Ser. No. 209,615, aforesaid. The predeterminedspaced relation or pregapping effected by the spacing links 242functions to facilitate reception of the forward portion of an exposedone of the plurality of film units 44 upon completion of a photographicexposure.

It will be recalled that after completion of a photographic exposure thearm 186 is driven forward against the bias of the spring means 240 bythe sector gear 212 to advance the exposed film unit into the bite ofthe processing rolls l8 and 20. At this time the nose portion 250 of thearm 186 will engage the end portion 248 of the spacing link 242 andpivot same clockwise with the pin means 244 against the bias of thespring means 246 to release the shaft 254 and permit the processing roll20 to move upward toward the processing roll 18 to properly process theexposed film unit.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, the spring gear 116 comprises a hollowcylindrical drum 262 which is rotatably secured to said shaft 132 so asto rotate thereon with respect thereto. Disposed within the hollowcylindrical drum portion 262 of said power spring gear 116 is a coilspring 264 which is wound around the shaft 132 internally of the drum262, with one end of said coil spring 264 being affixed to said shaft132 and the other end of said coil spring 264 being affixed to the innercylindrical surface of the drum 262.

The coil spring 264 is so disposed within the drum 262 and connected tothe shaft 132 and said drum 262 that clockwise rotation of the powerspring gear 116 (looking in the direction of FIG. 2) will cause saidcoil spring 264 to be wound up and store energy. Thus, it should beclear that at least a portion of the energy transmitted from the motor96 to the drive means 94 will be stored in the coil spring 264 of thepower spring gear 116. Before proceeding, it should be noted that withthe coil spring 264 wound up and with the power spring gear 116 securedin fixed position the shaft 132 will be biased for clockwise rotation(looking in the direction of F IG. 2) with respect to the power springgear 116.

It is now appropriate to consider the operation of the camera in greaterdetail and it will be assumed that the coil spring 264 has been fullywound by the motor 96 via the pinion gear 98, the idler gear 100, thefirst reduction gear assembly 102, the second reduction gear assembly104, the third reduction gear assembly 110, the one revolution gear 112,and the idler gear 114. Further, we will assume that the camera isinitially in the focusing mode, as illustrated in FIG. 1, with thereflex member 70 proximate the exposure plane 42.

With the various components positioned as aforesaid, it will be apparentthat the shaft 132 is biased in a clockwise direction by the coil spring264. Note, however, that said shaft 132 is not free to rotate because,as best seen in FIG. 13, the shoulder portion 146 of the cam wheel 138(which is secured to the shaft 132 for rotation therewith) is inabutment with the L-shape end portion 178 of the elbow-shape link arm172. At this time, the operator looking through the erect viewfinderapparatus 56 will see the image of a subject on the viewing surface 54and the operator may proceed to sharply focus the image on the viewingsurface 54 by focusing the objective lens assembly 14 in a well-knownmanner. During this focusing operation, no light from the subjectentering the exposure chamber of the camera 10 may reach the uppermostone of the plurality of film units 44 because it is capped by the reflexmember 70, as aforesaid. After satisfactorily bringing the subject intofocus, the operator is in position to effect an exposure and proceeds todepress the actuation button 16. It should be noted at this point thatthe arm 186 of the film-advancing apparatus 184 is in its rearwardmostposition toward the rear wall portion 26 of the camera 10 and, hence,the pick member 202 of the resilient finger 200 is rearward of thetrailing edge of the uppermost one of the plurality of film units 44.

The depression of the actuation button 16 will cause the capping endportion 183 of the button 16 (which, it will be recalled, is biased intoengagement with the L-shape end portion 182 of the elbow-shape link arm172 by the spring means 176) to rotate said elbowshape link arm 172counterclockwise (as seen in FIG. 13) about the pin assembly 174 andagainst the bias of the spring means 176.

Counterclockwise rotation of the elbow-shape link arm 172 will cause theL-shape end portion 178 thereof to move upward within the arcuate slot180 and disengage from the shoulder 146 of the cam wheel 138 whereuponthe shaft 132 will begin to rotate counterclockwise (as seen in FIG. 13)due to the bias of the coil spring 264 of the power spring gear 116.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 13, the counterclockwise rotation of theshaft 132 and the cam wheel 138 (as seen in FIG. 13) will appear asclockwise rotation of the cam wheel 136, looking in the direction ofFIG. 1. Such clockwise rotation of the cam wheel 136 will cause the pinassembly 150 and its associated erecting arm 118 to follow the face camdefined by the annular recess 140 causing said erecting arm 118 to pivotin a counterclockwise direction (as seen in FIG. 1) about the pin 122.

Before proceeding, it should be noted that the discussion herein withrespect to the interaction of the erecting arm 118 and the cam wheel 136applied with equal force to the erecting arm 120 and its associated camwheel 138. It will be recalled that the shaft 132 passes through a slot134 in the erecting arm 118 and through a similar slot (not shown) inthe erecting arm 120 thereby permitting the erecting arms 118 and 120 torotate about their respective pins 122 and 124 an amount limited only bythe extent of their respective slots, such as the slot 134.

As the erecting arms 118 and 120 rotate upward about their respectivepins 122 and 124, they will begin to move the reflex member about itscompound pivot defined by the link arms 84. Such erection of the reflexmember 70 is due to the pair of oppositely directed pins 76 extendingoutward of the lateral edges 78 of the reflex member 70 which arereceived within elongated slots in the erecting arms 118 and 120 such asthe elongated slot 128. As the erecting arms I18 and 120 continue theirupward movement, the oppositely directed pins 76 are caused to bothtraverse their respective elongated slots such as the elongated slot 128and simultaneously traverse the identical cam slots 90 in the spacedparallel support plates 80 and 82.

Considering the cam slots in more detail, it should be noted that thelowermost portions 266 thereof define an arc having a center ofcurvature lying along the axis of the pivotal connections 86 of the linkarms 84. Accordingly, as the erecting arms 118 and 120 cause the pins 76to traverse the lowermost portions 266 of the slots 90, the reflexmember 70 will simply pivot about the axis of the pivotal connections86, as in a simple pivotal connection. The lowermost portions 266 of thecamslots 90 extend to upper portions 268 which define an arc having acenter of curvature along an axis through the pins 122 and 124 or, moresuccinctly, through the pivotal center of the erecting arms 118 and 120.Thus, as the continued upward movement of said erecting arms 118 and 120causes the pins 76 to enter the upper portions 268 of the arcuate slots90, the link arms 84 will begin to pivot about the pivotal connections88, simultaneously with the pivotal action at the connections 86, toeffect a compound pivot of said reflex member 70.

The cam slots 90 extend from the upper portions 268 to the uppermostportions 270. The uppermost portions 270 of the cam slots 90 are notarcuate, but, rather, extend in a straight line in predetermined spacedparallel relation to the stationary reflex mirror 52. It should be notedat this point that the pair of link arms 84 are of preciselypredetermined length such that when the reflex member 70 assumes thepicture taking or exposure mode position 92, the perpendicular distancefrom the center of the pivotal connections 86 to the plane of thestationary reflex mirror 52 will equal the perpendicular distance fromthe center of the uppermost portions 270 of the cam slots 90 to theplane of said stationary reflex mirror 52. Further, inasmuch as theoppositely directed pins 76 are closely received within the cam slots90, when the reflex member 70 as sumes the position shown in phantom at92, the perpendicular distance from the center of said pins 76 to theplane of the stationary reflex mirror 52 will also equal theperpendicular distance from the center of the pivotal connections 86 tosaid mirror 52, insuring that the reflex member 70 is aligned inpredetermined spaced relation to said mirror 52. This alignment will besuch that the optical path length from the objective lens assembly tothe specular reflex mirror 74 and thence to the exposure plane 42remains equal to the optical path length existing in the focusing modediscussed hereinabove.

Before proceeding further, it should be noted that, as best seen in FIG.3, the profile cam 168 is connected to the one revolution gear 112 via ashaft 272 whereby the profile cam 168 and the one revolution gear 112are locked together for rotation with the shaft 272. The shaft 272 is,of course, rotatably supported by the support plate 80 in a well-knownmanner and extends therethrough with the profile cam 168 beingpositioned overlying the outside face of the support plate 80 and theone revolution gear 112 being within the exposure chamber.

The profile cam 168 is of suitable shape such that when the photographiccycle begins in the focusing mode illustrated in FIG. 1, the rear edgeportion 170 of the boot-shape link arm 158 will be biased intoengagement with that portion of the surface of the profile cam 168 suchthat the boot-shape link arm 158 is positioned over the opining 238 inthe support plate 80 (so as to depress the button portion 236 of theresilient spring leaf 226) thereby removing the end portion 232 of saidspring leaf 226 from the opening 234.

As the shaft 132 rotates clockwise (looking into FIG. 1), the erectingarms 118 and 120 will be pivoted about their respective pins 122 and 124by virtue of the fact that their pin assemblies such as the pin assembly150 will follow the cam surface of the annular recesses 140 and 142 oftheir respective cam wheels 136 and 138. The upward movement of theerecting arms 118 and 120 and, hence, the reflex member 70 will continueuntil the cam wheel 136 (and, hence, the shaft 132 and the cam wheel138) has rotated 180 to bring the shoulder portion 144 to the positionshown in phantom in FIG. 5. It should be noted at this point that duringthe clockwise rotation (as seen in FIG. 1) of the cam wheel 136, theprofile cam 168 will be restrained from rotating because of the staticload presented by the gear train to the power spring gear 116.Therefore, the boot shape link arm 158 will remain in the position ofFIG. 1, sufficiently counterclockwise about the pin assembly 160 topermit the link arm 148 to remain in a position about the pin assembly150 such that the L-shape end portion 156 of said link arm 148 willengage the shoulder portion 144 of the cam wheel 136 to prevent furtherclockwise rotation of said cam wheel 136. At this time, the arms 118 and120 will be in their fully erected position and the oppositely directedpins 76 of the reflex member 70 will be positioned within the uppermostportions 270 of the cam slots such that said reflex member 70 assumesthe position 92 (FIG. 1) and the camera is in the exposure modeconfiguration.

It is to be understood that the exposure control system housing 12includes therein a shutter assembly of a type well known in the art andwhich forms no part of the instant invention. The shutter mechanismdoes, however, interact with some of the componentportions of theinstant invention as described hereinafter. When the photographic camera10 is in the focusing mode configuration, i.e., with the reflex member70 proximate the exposure plate 42, the shutter assembly (not shown)within the exposure control system housing 12 is open to permit an imageof the subject to be formed on the viewing surface 54. When theactuation button 16 is depressed, the shutter assembly closes preventingany light from the subject from entering the exposure chamber of thecamera 10. When the reflex member 70 assumes the position 92, itactivates a switch (not shown) in a well-known manner which causes theshutter assembly to open a sufficient amount and for a sufficient periodof time to permit light from the subject to reach the exposure plane 42and effect a suitable photographic exposure.

As the shutter assembly closes to complete a photographic exposure, ittriggers a switch (not shown) in a well-known manner to send a signal tothe motor 96 turning same on. Although the cam wheel 136 and, hence, theshaft 132 is restrained against clockwise rotation (by the L-shape endportion 156 of the link arm 148) at this time, the motor will drive thedrive means 94 against the spring load of the power spring gear 116 toeffect movement of the one revolution gear 112 a sufficient amount torotate the profile cam 168 (via the shaft 272) in a clockwise directionan amount sufficient to pivot the boot-shape link arm 158counterclockwise about the pin assembly 160, thereby pivoting the linkarm 148 clockwise about the pin assembly and against the bias of thespring means 152. The link arm 148 will be driven clockwise an amountsufficient to raise the L-shape end portion 156 thereof clear of theshoulder portion 144 of the cam wheel 136, thereby enabling the coilspring 264 of the power spring gear 116 to unwind and rotate the shaft132 relative to the hollow cylindrical drum 262.

The clockwise rotation of the profile cam 168 will drive the rear edgeportion 170 of the boot-shape link arm 158 away from the shaft 272causing said link arm 158 to rotate counterclockwise about the pinassembly 7 an amount sufficient to free the button portion 236 of theresilient spring leaf 226 and permit the end portion 232 of said springleaf 226 to again enter the opening 234 in the support plate 80. At thesame time, the rotating shaft 132 will carry with it the cam wheels 136andv 138 and their respective profile cam portions 147 and 149 willbegin to drive the sector gears such as 212 (as by the cam follower endportion 222 of the outer finger portion 218 of each of the sector gears,such as the sector gear 212). The sector gear 212 will be forced topivot clockwise about the pin means 214 moving the arm 186 toward thefront wall portion 32 of the camera 10 and against the bias of thespring means 240 by means of the interaction between the teeth of thesector gear 212 and the rack 210 of the arm 186.

It should be emphasized that only one resilient spring leaf is provided,that is, the resilient spring leaf 226 which is affixed to the supportplate 80 and that similarly, there is only one profile cam 168,boot-shape link arm 158, and link arm 148 provided. Accordingly, it willbe understood that the common components attached to the spaced parallelsupport plates 80 and 82 at opposite sides of the camera functionidentically save for any interrelationship between those componentsattached to the support plates 80 and 82 and those component partsdescribed hereinabove which are unique to the support plate 8.0.

As the spring 264 of the power spring gear 116 continues to rotate theshaft 132, the profile cam portions 147 and 149 continue to advance thearms 186 of the film-advancing apparatus 184 so that the shoulderportions 208 of the pick members 202 engage the trailing edges of theexposed film unit and begin to advance such film unit into the bite ofthe processing rolls 18 and 20.

As mentioned hereinabove, the processing rolls 18 and 20 are held in apredetermined pregap position by the spacing links 242 to facilitate thereception of the exposed film unit between said processing rolls 18 and20. Continuedrotation of the shaft 132 will cause the inner fingerportion 220 of the sector gear 212 to be advanced past the end portion232 of the resilient spring leaf 226 which, it will be recalled, is nowextending through the opening 234 in the support plate 80.

The end portion 232 of said resilient spring leaf 226 is so shaped as tobe forced out of the opening 234 by the advancing inner finger portion220 of the sector gear 212 until said inner finger portion 220 haspassed said end portion 232 enabling said end portion 232 to spring backthrough the opening 234 to prevent any counterclockwise rotation (asseen in FIG. 12) of the sector gear 212 for reasons which will be moreappar' ent infra.

As the shaft 132 continues its clockwise rotation under the influence ofthe spring 264 of the power spring gear 116, the erecting arms 118 and120 continue to pivot clockwise about their respective pivot pins 122and 124 to drive the reflex member 70 toward the focusing modeconfiguration proximate the exposure plane 42. Additionally, theclockwise rotation of the profile cam portions 147 and 149 of the camwheels 136 and 138, respectively, continues to drive the sector gearssuch as the sector gear 212 clockwise, as aforesaid. The profile cam 147continues to drive the arm 186 toward the front wall portion 32 of thecamera 10 so that the nose portion 250 of the arm 186 will engage theend portion 248 of the spacing link 242. Continued forward advancementof the arm 186 will cause the spacing links 242 to pivot with the pinmeans 244 in a clockwise direction (as seen in FIG. 12) against the biasof the spring means 246. Such clockwise rotation of the spacing links242 will permit the shaft 254 to be released from said spacing links 242permitting the resilient spring means 258 to urge the shaft 254 upwardlywithin the elongated apertures 256 causing the processing rolls 18 and20 to exert sufficient pressure on the exposed film unit to properlyprocess same. It should be noted at this point that before the exposedfilm unit enters the space between the processing rolls 18 and 20, saidrolls 18 and 20 are held in spaced predetermined relation by the spacinglinks 242 with the ends of the shaft 254 retained in the lowermostportions of the apertures 256 in the support plates 80 and 82.

As the shaft 132 continues its clockwise rotation carrying the camwheels 136 and 138 therewith, the reflex member becomes fully seated inthe focusing or viewing mode configuration of FlG. 1 and the profile camportions 147 and 149 of said cam wheels 136 and 138, respectively,disengage from the cam follower end portions 222 of the outer fingerportions 218 of the sector gears such as the sector gear 212. When suchdisengagement occurs, the spring means 240 will exert a force pullingthe arm 186 toward the rear wall portion 226 of the camera 10disengaging the nose portion 250 of the arm 186 from the end portion 248of the spacing link 242 permitting said spacing links 242 to pivot withthe pin means 244 (due to the spring means 246) to its initial position.Movement of the arm 186 toward the rear wall portion 26 of the camera 10will also tend to drive the sector gear 212 (via the rack 210) about thepin means 214 in a counterclockwise direction (as seen in FIG. 12) toreturn said sector gear 212 to the position shown in FIG. 1. However,the disengagement of the nose portion 250 from the end portion 248 andthe consequent repositioning of the spacing link 242 and the sector gear212, as aforesaid, will be delayed a predetermined interval, asexplained infra.

When the film-advancing apparatus 184 is in the position shown in FIG.12 and the film unit is being processed through the processing rolls l8and 20, a high spot in the film unit being processed may cause theprocessing rolls l8 and 20 to move apart, i.e., the processing roll 20may be forced downward in the elongated apertures 256 against the biasof the resilient spring means 258. If at this time the arm 186 werealready returned to the rearmost position, it might be possible for theends of the shaft 254 of the processing roll 20 to be captured by thespacing links 242 because such spacing links 242 would now be inposition to receive and retain the end portions of the shaft 254 inpredetermined spaced relation to the processing roll 18 and at thebottommost portion of the apertures 256. If this were to occur, theprocessing of the film would be interrupted (because, after passage ofthe high spot in the exposed film unit, contact between the processingrolls and said film unit would be lost and the film unit may be ruined).To avoid such an undesirable consequence, the sector gear 212 (pivotallysecured to the support plate by the pin means 214) is restrained againstcounterclockwise rotation about the pin means 214 by the end portion 232of the resilient spring leaf 226 which extends through the opening 234in said support plate 80, as aforesaid. Such restraint of the sectorgear 212 prevents the arm 186 from returning to its rearmost positionand, hence, prevents the spacing link 242 from pivoting with the pin 244to assume a position whereat the end portions of the shaft 254 may becaptured and held in the predetermined pregap position describedhereinabove.

While the cam wheels 136 and 138 are rotating clockwise, the profile cam168 is also being driven clockwise by the motor 96 (through the onerevolution gear 112 and the connecting shaft 272, as aforesaid). Theprofile cam 168 completes one revolution for each complete photographiccycle, that is, from the focusing mode through the exposure mode andback to the focusing mode. It should be emphasized, however, that theprofile cam 168 does not rotate at the same rate as the cam wheels 136and 138 and that said profile cam 168 continues to rotate after the camwheels 136 and 138 have stopped and the reflex member 70 has assumed thefocusing mode configuration. The rotation of the profile cam 168 is suchthat just prior to the entry of the trap of the film unit between theprocessing rolls 18 and 20 the profile cam 168 will assume a positionsuch that the boot-shape link arm 158 will pivot about the pin assembly160 in a clockwise direction (looking into FIG. 12) to cover the opening238 and depress the button portion 236 of the resilient leaf spring 226.Such depression of the button portion 236 will cause the end portion 232of said spring leaf 226 to withdraw from the opening 234 permitting thespring means 240 to return the sector gear 212 to the position shown inFIG. 1 by disengaging the nose portion 250 of the arm 186 from the endportion 248 of the spacing link 242. This will permit the spacing links242 to pivot with the pin means 244 to its initial position and, as thetrap of the film unit enters the processing rolls 18 and 20, theprocessing roll 20 will be forced downward (against the bias of theresilient spring means 258) within the elongated apertures 256 until theshaft 254 is captured by the spacing links 242, as mentioned previouslyherein.

When the sector gear 212 is released by the end portion 232 of theresilient spring leaf 226 to permit the arm 186 to return to its initialposition, the pick member 202 will resiliently slide back along the edgeof the new uppermost one of the plurality of film units 44, whichmovement will be facilitated by the ramp portion 206 and the resilientelongated finger 200. When the pick member 202 has assumed its rearmostposition, the trailing edge of the new uppermost one of the plurality offilm units 44 will be engaged by the shoulder 208 for the start of a newcycle.

When the reflex member 70 has assumed the focusing mode positionillustrated in FIG. 1, the cam wheel 138 will have rotated to a positionbringing the shoulder portion 146 thereof into engagement with the L-shape end portion 178 of the elbow-shape link arm 172. Thereafter,further rotation of the cam wheel 138, the shaft 132 and, consequently,the cam wheel 136 will no longer be possible until the actuation button16 is depressed, as aforesaid. Nevertheless, the profile cam 168 willcontinue to be driven by the motor 96 because the power spring gear 1 16is spring loaded with respect to the shaft 132 by the coil spring 264,as mentioned supra. When the rotation of the cam wheels 136 and 138 andtheir connecting shaft 132 has been stopped by the L-shape end portion178 of the elbow-shape link arm 172, as aforesaid, continued rotation ofthe motor 96 will cause the coil spring 264 of the power spring gear 116to wind up and store energy sufficient to raise and lower the reflexmember 70 and power a portion of the film-advancing apparatus 184, asmentioned hereinabove.

Typically, the motor 96 may be shut off by a switch (not shown) actuatedin a well-known manner as when the shaft 254 has been captured by thespacing links 242 and the exposed film unit has been completelyprocessed. When the motor 96 has been shut off, the power spring gear116 will be fully wound and the profile cam 168 will be in the positionshown in FIG. 1, ready for the start of another photographic cycle.

Referring again to FIGS. 6 11, the motion of the reflex member 70 as ittravels from its focusing mode configuration to its exposure modeconfiguration may be seen in greater detail. As best seen in FIG. 6, atthe start of a photographic cycle (the focusing mode) the reflex member70 is in a horizontal position overlying the exposure plane 42. When thephotographic cycle is commenced by depressing the actuation button 16,the erecting arms 118 and 120 begin to raise the reflex member bypivoting same about the pivotal connections 86 with the link arms 84remaining stationary. Further erection (to the positions illustrated inFIGS. 7 and 8) of the reflex member 70 is accomplished by pivoting sameabout the pivotal connections 86 with the link arms 84 remainingstationary.

It will be noted, however, that the oppositely directed pins 76 of thereflex member 70 have moved along the slots 128 in their respectiveerecting arms 118 and 120 a discernible amount. By the time the reflexmember 70 has assumed the position shown in FIG. 9, the oppositelydirected pins 76 have traversed the lowermost portions 266 of the camslots and have moved considerably along the slots 128 from theirposition of FIG. 6. Up until the position shown in FIG. 9, the erectionof the reflex member 70 has taken place entirely by pivoting same aboutthe pivotal connections 86.

As the erection process to the position shown in FIG. 10 continues, theoppositely directed pins 76 begin to traverse the upper portions 268 ofthe cam slots 90 and the reflex member 70 continues to pivot about thepivotal connections 86. Note, however, that at this time the pair oflink arms 84 are pivoting about the pivotal connections 88 so that thereflex member 70 is now approaching the stationary reflex mirror 52 in acompound manner. As the reflex member 70 continues to travel upward fromthe position shown in FIG. 10, to its final exposure mode positionillustrated in FIG. 11, the oppositely directed pins 76 complete theirtraverse of the upper portions 268 of the cam slots 90 with the compoundpivoting of the reflex member 70 continuing as aforesaid. When theoppositely directed pins 76 of the reflex member 70 get to the very endof the upper portions 268 of said cam slots 90, they are a predeterminedspaced distance from the stationary reflex member 52, whichpredetermined distance is effected by the configuration of the cam slots90. Thereafter, as the erection process continues, the pins 76 will moveparallel to the stationary reflex member 52 whilst the end portion ofthe reflex member 70, pivotally connected to the link arms 84 at thepivotal connections 86, will approach the stationary reflex member 52 inan arc of radius equal to the distance between the pivotal connections86 and the pivotal connections 88. The distance between the pivotalconnections 86 and 88 is predetermined such that when the reflex member70 assumes its final exposure mode configuration, it will be parallel tothe stationary reflex member 52.

It should be emphasized at this point that the oppositely directed pins76 do not hit the terminus of the uppermost portions 270 of the camslots 90 nor do such pins 76 ever reach the end of the slots 128 in theerecting arms 118 and 120. The final position of the pins 76 within thecam slots 90 and the slots 128 is determined by the cam wheel 138 whichis so configured that its shoulder portion 146 will engage the L-shapeend portion 178 of the elbow-shape link arm 172 when the reflex member70 has been fully erected to the exposure mode configuration. Thus, itcan be seen that the final approach of the reflex member 70 to thestationary reflex mirror 52 will be very nearly parallel to said reflexmember 52. Such relative parallel motion coupled with the fact that thepins 76 neither bottom-out in the cam slots 90 nor in the slots 128 aidsin significantly eliminating any vibration of the reflex member 70 and,

hence, of the specular reflex mirror 74 in a direction perpendicular tothe stationary reflex mirror 52 or, stated another way, prevent anyundesirable vibration of the specular reflex mirror 74 along the opticalaxis. Clearly, any vibration of the specular reflex mirror 74 along theoptical axis could adversely affect a photographic exposure. Suchabsence of vibration of the specular reflex mirror 74 greatly reducesthe need to delay the start of a photographic exposure and greatlyincreases the speed with which the reflex member 70 may be erected tothe exposure mode position illustrated at 92 in FIG. 1.

The generally parallel approach of the reflex member 70 to thestationary reflex mirror 52 may be accomplished in an alternate mannerby making the uppermost portions 270 of the cam slots 90 arcuate with aradius of curvature equal to the distance between the pivotalconnections 86 and 88. With the radius of curvature of the uppermostportion of the cam slots 90 equal to the distance between the pivotalconnections 86 and 88, the motions of the oppositely directed pins 76and the pivotal connections 86 between the reflex member 70 and the linkarms 84 will be identical and the system will approximate a parallellinkage assembly.

It can readily be seen that many other variations and modifications ofthe present invention are possible in the light of the aforementionedteachings, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art thatvarious changes in form and in arrangement of components may be made tosuit requirements without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of theappended claims the instant invention may be practised in a mannerotherwise than is specifically described herein.

What is claimed is:

l. A photographic camera of the type comprising means for supporting aphotosensitive material at an exposure plane; lens means for focusingthe image of a subject at a focal plane; movable reflex means forestablishing said focal plane at said exposure plane when in an exposuremode; and fixed reflex means cooperating with said movable reflex meansfor establishing said focal plane at a viewing surface proximate saidexposure plane when in a focusing mode; further including:

motor means;

energy storage means operably connected to said motor means forreceiving and storing energy therefrom;

an erecting mechanism operably connected to said movable reflex meansand to said energy storage means for receiving energy from said storagemeans for both moving said movable reflex member from a first positionwhereat said focal plane is at said viewing surface to a second positionwhereat said focal plane is established at said exposure plane andthence back to said first position; and

means connected to said erecting mechanism and structurally independentfrom said movable reflex means for receiving energy directly from saiderecting mechanism as said movable reflex means approaches said firstposition to thereby decelerate said movable reflex means.

2. The invention as recited in claim 1, further including:

means for performing a function associated with the processing of a filmunit and wherein said structurally independent energy absorbing means isoperably connected to said function performing means to provide energyfor performing said function.

3. The invention as delineated in claim 2, further including aprocessing station and wherein said function comprises advancing saidphotosensitive material to said processing station whilst said movablereflex member is returning to said first position.

4. The invention as set forth in claim 3, wherein said processingstation includes a pair of processing rolls and wherein said functionperforming means comprises film picking means adapted to engage an endportion of said photosensitive material and advance same into the biteof said processing rolls.

5. The invention as described in claim 4, wherein said erectingmechanism includes first cam means and said function performing meansfurther includes second cam means connected to said first cam means.

6. The invention as described in claim 5, wherein said picking meansincludes a rack and further including sector gear means connected tosaid rack and cooperable with said second cam means to perform saidfunction.

7. The invention as delineated in claim 6, wherein said rack isconnected to spring means such that performing said function will biassaid spring means to re turn said rack to an initial position.

8. The invention as set forth in claim 7, wherein said sector gear meansincludes a cam follower 9. A photographic camera of the type comprisingmeans for supporting a photosensitive material at an exposure plane;lens means for focusing the image of a subject at-a focal plane; aviewing surface; and movable reflex means cooperable with said lensmeans in establishing said focal plane at said viewing surface andmovable between first and second positions; further includ ing:

means connected to said movable reflex member and in continuousengagement therewith for efiecting the movement of same between saidfirst and second positions;

energy supplying means connected to said movement effecting means forsupplying energy thereto sufficient to move said movable reflex memberbetween said first and second positions; and

means connected to said movement effecting means and continuously out ofcontact with said movable reflex member for absorbing energy from saidenergy supplying means to thereby decelerate said movable reflex member.1

10. The invention as described in claim 9, further in cluding:

means for performing a function associated with the processing of a filmunit and wherein said energy absorbing means is operably connected tosaid function performing means to provide at least a portion of theenergy required for performing said function.

11. The invention as set forth in claim 10, further including aprocessing station and wherein said function comprises advancing saidphotosensitive material to said processing station.

12. The invention as delineated in claim 11, wherein said functionperforming means is cooperable with said energy absorbing means foreffecting said function whilst said movable reflex member moves betweensaid first and second positions.

13. The invention as described in claim 12, wherein said processingstation includes a pair of processing rolls and wherein said functionperforming means includes film-advancing means adapted to engage an endportion of said photosensitive material and advance same into the biteof said processing rolls.

14. The invention as recited in claim 13, wherein said movementeffecting means includes first cam means and said function performingmeans further includes second cam means connected to said first cammeans.

15. The invention as described in claim 14, wherein said film-advancingmeans includes a rack and further including sector gear means connectedto said rack and cooperable with said second cam means to perform saidfunction.

16. The invention as set forth in claim 15, wherein said rack isconnected to spring means such that performing said function will biassaid spring means to return said rack to an initial position.

17. The invention as delineated in claim 16, wherein said sector gearmeans includes a cam follower portion in engagement with said second cammeans and further including means for effecting disengagement of saidsector gear means and said cam follower portion from said second cammeans after completion of said function whereby said rack may bereturned to said initial position by said spring means.

18. The invention as described in claim 9, wherein said energy supplyingmeans includes energy storage means for receiving and storing energysufficient to both move said movable reflex member and perform at leasta portion of said function.

19. The invention as set forth in claim 18, wherein said energysupplying means includes motor means connected to said energy storagemeans for transferring energy thereto and to said processing station forsupplying energy thereto to effect processing of said photosensitivematerial.

20. A reflex camera, including:

a housing;

a stationary reflex mirror secured within said housing for imaging lightfrom a subject to a focal plane; means within said housing for definingan exposure plane;

support means connected to said housing;

a planar member having a reflective viewing screen on one surfacethereof and a reflex mirror on the opposite surface thereof, said planarmember being articulately connected to said support means and movablefrom a first position proximate said exposure plane to a second positionoverlying said stationary reflex mirror;

first cam means secured to a shaft rotatably supported by said supportmeans;

1 first cam follower means connected to said articulating planar memberand in engagement with said first cam means;

second cam means connected to said first cam means for movementtherewith;

a spring motor operably connected to said shaft to effect the rotationof same and the movement of said articulately connected member from saidfirst position to said second position and thence to said firstposition;

a processing station;

second cam follower means connected to said second cam means; and

film unit advancing means connected to said second cam follower meansand adapted to advance a film unit from an initial position to saidprocessing station whilst said planar member is moving from said secondposition to said first position.

1. A photographic camera of the type comprising means for supporting aphotosensitive material at an exposure plane; lens means for focusingthe image of a subject at a focal plane; movable reflex means forestablishing said focal plane at said exposure plane when in an exposuremode; and fixed reflex means cooperating with said movable reflex meansfor establishing said focal plane at a viewing surface proximate saidexposure plane when in a focusing mode; further including: motor means;energy storage means operably connected to said motor means forreceiving and storing energy therefrom; an erecting mechanism operablyconnected to said movable reflex means and to said energy storage meansfor receiving energy from said storage means for both moving saidmovable reflex member from a first position whereat said focal plane isat said viewing surface to a second position whereat said focal plane isestablished at said exposure plane and thence back to said firstposition; and means connected to said erecting mechanism andstructurally independent from said movable reflex means for receivingenergy directly from said erecting mechanism as said movable reflexmeans approaches said first position to thereby decelerate said movablereflex means.
 2. The invention as recited in claim 1, further including:means for performing a function associated with the processing of a filmunit and wherein said structurally independent energy absorbing means isoperably connected to said function performing means to provide energyfor performing said function.
 3. The invention as delineated in claim 2,further including a processing station and wherein said functioncomprises advancing said photosensitive material to said processingstation whilst said movable reflex member is returning to said firstposition.
 4. The invention as set forth in claim 3, wherein saidprocessing station includes a pair of processing rolls and wherein saidfunction performing means comprises film picking means adapted to engagean end portion of said photosensitive material and advance same into thebite of said processing rolls.
 5. The invention as described in claim 4,wherein said erecting mechanism includes first cam means and saidfunction performing means further includes second cam means connected tosaid first cam means.
 6. The invention as described in claim 5, whereinsaid picking means includes a rack and further including sector gearmeans connected to said rack and cooperable with said second cam meansto perform said function.
 7. The invention as delineated in claim 6,wherein said rack is connected to spring means such that performing saidfunction will bias said spring means to return said rack to an initialposition.
 8. The invention as set forth in claim 7, wherein said sectorgear means includes a cam follower
 9. A photographic camera of the typecomprising means for supporting a photosensitive material at an exposureplane; lens means for focusing the image of a subject at a focal plane;a viewing surface; and movable reflex means cooperable with said lensmeans in establishing said focal plane at said viewing surface andmovable between first and second positions; further including: meansconnected to said movable reflex member and in continuous engagementtherewith for effecting the movement of same between said first andsecond positions; energy supplying means connected to said movementeffecting means for supplying energy thereto sufficient to move saidmovable reflex member between said first and second positions; and meansconnected to said movement effecting means and continuously out ofcontact with said movable reflex member for absorbing energy from saidenergy supplying means to thereby decelerate said movable reflex member.10. The invention as described in claim 9, further including: means forperforming a function associated with the processing of a film unit andwherein said energy absorbing means is operably connected to saidfunction performing means to provide at least a portion of the energyrequired for performing said function.
 11. The invention as set forth inclaim 10, further including a processing station and wherein saidfunction comprises advancing said photosensitive material to saidprocessing station.
 12. The invention as delineated in claim 11, whereinsaid function performing means is cooperable with said energy absorbingmeans for effecting said function whilst said movable reflex membermoves between said first and second positions.
 13. The invention asdescribed in claim 12, wherein said processing station includes a pairof processing rolls and wherein said function performing means includesfilm-advancing means adapted to engage an end portion of saidphotosensitive material and advance same into the bite of saidprocessing rolls.
 14. The invention as recited in claim 13, wherein saidmovement effecting means includes first cam means and said functionperforming means further includes second cam means connected to saidfirst cam means.
 15. The invention as described in claim 14, whereinsaid film-advancing means includes a rack and further including sectorgear means connected to said rack and cooperable with said second cammeans to perform said function.
 16. The invention as set forth in claim15, wherein said rack is connected to spring means such that performingsaid function will bias said spring means to return said rack to aninitial position.
 17. The invention as delineated in claim 16, whereinsaid sector gear means includes a cam follower portion in engagementwith said second cam means and further including means for effectingdisengagement of said sector gear means and said cam follower portionfrom said second cam means after completion of said function wherebysaid rack may be returned to said initial position by said spring means.18. The invention as described in claim 9, wherein said energy supplyingmeans includes energy storage means for receiving and storing energysufficient to both move said movable reflex member and perform at leasta portion of said function.
 19. The invention as set forth in claim 18,wherein said energy supplying means includes motor means connected tosaid energy storage means for transferring energy thereto and to saidprocessing station for supplying energy thereto to effect processing ofsaid photosensitive material.
 20. A reflex camera, including: a housing;a stationary reflex mirror secured within said housing for imaging lightfrom a subject to a focal plane; means within said housing for definingan exposure plane; support means connected to said housing; a planarmember having a reflective viewing screen on one surface thereof and areflex mirror on the opposite surface thereof, said planar member beingarticulately connected to said support means and movable from a firstposition proximate said exposure plane to a second position overlyingsaid stationary reflex mirror; first cam means secured to a shaftrotatably supported by said support means; first cam follower meansconnected to said aRticulating planar member and in engagement with saidfirst cam means; second cam means connected to said first cam means formovement therewith; a spring motor operably connected to said shaft toeffect the rotation of same and the movement of said articulatelyconnected member from said first position to said second position andthence to said first position; a processing station; second cam followermeans connected to said second cam means; and film unit advancing meansconnected to said second cam follower means and adapted to advance afilm unit from an initial position to said processing station whilstsaid planar member is moving from said second position to said firstposition.